CHRISTIE ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES RESUMPTION OF FERRY SERVICE FROM LIBERTY STATE PARK TO LIBERTY ISLAND IN TIME FOR HOLIDAY

(13/P71) TRENTON – Ferry service between Liberty State Park and Liberty Island is scheduled to resume tomorrow for the Fourth of July holiday, the Christie Administration announced today.

The National Park Service is also reopening Liberty Island to visitors on the Fourth of July, following repairs related to Superstorm Sandy. Ellis Island remains closed.

"Resumption of ferry service to the Statue of Liberty marks another milestone in the recovery of New Jersey from the effects of Superstorm Sandy," Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bob Martin said. "Each year, some 700,000 people use ferry service from Liberty State Park to visit these icons of American history. We are very excited about being able to bring this important service back to the public in time for the celebration of our nation's birth."

The National Park Service in partnership with the New Jersey State Park Service will be using a barge near the Central Railroad of New Jersey Terminal Building as a temporary platform for loading and unloading ferry passengers until the permanent dock area, severely damaged by Sandy, is repaired. This work is expected to be completed next year.

The terminal building, where ferry tickets were previously sold and security screenings took place, remains closed. The gatehouse has been converted to a ticket building. Security screenings will take place at this building.

Liberty State Park is the most popular destination in the State Park system, with nearly 5.4 million visitors last year. All of New Jersey's state parks have reopened post-Sandy, including Liberty.

Most of Liberty Walk (the Hudson River Walkway), which offers unparalleled views of the Statue of Liberty and the New York skyline, has reopened. The Green Park playground, one of the largest of its kind in the state, recently re-opened, and much of the park's public use acres are now accessible.

Ferry Service is provided by Statue Cruises. There are separate fees for parking at Liberty State Park and for cruises to Liberty Island.